Circuit-breaker-tripping apparatus.



W. M. SCOTT.

CIRCUIT BREAKER TRIPPING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULYIZ, 1913.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

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CIRCUIT BREAKER TRIPPING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 12, 1913.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

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APPLICATION FILED JULY 12, 1913.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

3 SHEEiT S-SHEET 3.

wi bvmoom UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM M. SCOTT, 0F RADNOR, PENNSYLVANIA.

CIRCUIT-BREAKER-TRIPPING APPARATUS.

Application filed m 12, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM M. Sco'r'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Radnor, county of Delaware, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Circuit-Breaker-Tripping Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My ,n'ention relates to electro-magnetic means which may be used for various purposes 'including the direct tripping of switches or automatic circuit breakers.

It is the object of my invention to pro vide electro-magnetic means which shall respond to or act upon change in relation between phases of a polyphase circuit or system, as upon phase reversal, more articularly in a three phase system, to directly and of itself produce'aconsiderable force suihcient for directly actuating the latch or other restraining means of a switch or circuit breaker or for accomplishing any other purpose requiring the development of such force, or for general purposes. To these ends I provide the electro-responsive means of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

For an illustration of some of the forms my invention may take reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an automatic circuit breaker having tripping means embodying one form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shownlin Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the electro-magnets. Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the armature mechanism. Fig. 5 is a front ele vational view of the same. Fig. 6-is a diagrammatic view illustrating a system of electrical connections which may be employed as for a three phase circuit. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a system of electrical connections which may be emploved with a two-phase circuit.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are des gnated by like reference characters, B represents any suitable base or support, preferably of insulating material, such as the marble, slate or the like, of a switch boa:d.

Upon the base B are disposed the main terminal blocksl and 2 of the circuit breaker, electrical communication with these termi- Specifieation of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 778,699.

nal blocks being afforded by the studs or conductors 3 and 4. respectively.

Adapted to bridge and electrically connect the terminal blocks 1 and 2 is the movable contact member 5, such as a laminated contact member. carried by the arm 6 pivoted at 7 in the bracket or housing 8, secured upon the base B.

Pivoted to the arm 6 at 9 is the link 10 pivoted at 11 to the link 12 which is in turn pivoted to the housing or bracket 8 at 13, the operating lever 14 being integral with the link 12. The links 10 and 1 2 constitute a toggle, which, in the circuit closing position illustrated in Fig. 1, is undertraveled. And pivoted at 1.1 is the dog latch 16 whose free end thrusts against the roller 17 pivoted at 18 to the housing 8. Pivoted at 18 is the latch actuator member 19 having the jaw 20 loosely embracing the pin 7 carried by the housing 8, thus allowing restricted pivotal movement of the member 19.

The member 19 has a stop 22 against which the dog latch 16 normally engages. And the member 19 carries a projection 23 against which is adapted to engage the lug 24 on the member 14.

Pivoted at 18 is the member 25 to which is secured the bar 31.

A stationary shunt contact is shown at 27 and the cooperating movable contact 28 is carried by the arm 6 and has a connection with the lower terminal block 2. Intermediate stationary and movable metallic shunt contacts 29 and 30 may be provided.

The apparatus herein described is shown in association with a three phase circuit, the circuit breaker being a double pole circuit breaker with a poleflin each of two phases as indicated in Fig. 6. The arms 11 of the mechanisms for the two poles are mechanically connected by the bar 15 to which the single handle grip 15 is secured. The mechanism for each pole has the terminal blocks, movable contact member and operating mechanism, latch, etc., as described in connection with Fig. 1.

The members 25 for both poles are mechanically interconnected by the bar 31 to which .tnay be secured the lever 32 having the push button 33 which may be actuated by an operator to trip the circuit breaker mechanism at will independently of the electro-magnetic tripping mechanism.

The tail piece 26 is secured to the mem- Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

' netic tripping ber 31 and extends into the path of travel of the lug or projection 34 secured to the armature mechanism of the electro-magmeans. This armature mechanism comprising preferably laminated iron armature member 35 is mounted upon the spindle or shaft 36 having the pivot holes 37 receivingthe pivot screws 38 carried by the bracket members 39.

The bracket 39 pivotally supports the armature member 35 in front of the poles 40, 41 and 42 having the common iron yoke 43. The member 35 carries the adjustable screw 44 which normally bears, as indicated in Fig. 1, against the pole 42, the screw 44 being preferably of non-magnetic material such as brass, and its adjustment is preferably such that with the member 35 in the normal position indicated the air gaps between the member 35 and the poles 40 and 42 are equal and the air gap between Referring now to Fig. 6, 48, 49 and 50.

are thethree conductors of a three phase alternating current system. From the con ductor 48 extends a conductor 51 to the terminal block 1 of the left hand circuit breaker unit. Connection is made from conductor 4 to a consumption circuit or translating device; and similarly conductor 52 extends from conductor 50 to the upper terminal block 1 of the right hand circuit breaker unit, its conductor 4 connecting to the consumption circuit or translating'device; the third conductor 49 is also understood to be connected to the consumption circuit or translating device. In the example illustrated a circuit breaker pole is in each of two'phases only, though it is to be understood that the invention is equally applicable to a three pole circuit breaker. Movable with and electrically connected to the movable contact 5 of the left hand breaker is the contact 53 in engagement breaker unit is a movable contact 57 in engagement with the stationary contact 58, when the circuit breaker is closed, the contact 58 connecting through conductor 59 with one terminal of magnet' winding 45 whose other terminal connects to the common point 56. Extending from conductor 49 is conductor 60 connecting with one terminal of non-inductive resistance 61 whose other terminal connects with one. terminal of magnet winding 46 whose remaining terminal connects with the common point 56.

The inductance of the circuit including magnet coil 47 is made as great as possible .consistent with procuring a given or necessary magnetic pull or attraction, while the resistance of this circuit is made as low as possible. Similarly the inductance ofthe circuit of coil 45is made as high as possible and its resistance as low as possible, con- 1 sistent with conditions mentioned. And the ratio of the inductance of coil 46 to the resistance in its circuit is relatively lower or smaller. 'With this arrangement, there is, whatever the relation of the phases to each other, an unsymmetrical condition, due. to

in its remaining in the-normal position illustrated. Upon a change in relation of phases, however, the' attraction at the other or right end of the armature 35 .predominates, and the armature will accordingly be tilted in counter-clockwise direction about" its pivot 36, as viewed in Fig. 6.

The operation is as follows: When the relations of the phases of the circuits 48, 49, 50 with respect to each other are the proper or desired ones, eachof the magnetic clrcuits whose poles are 40, 41 and 42 has produced in it by the windings in the (lif ferent phases a veryconsiderablemagnetic flux, the poles 41 and 42 normally more strongly attracting the armature member 35 than pole 40. However the screw 44 prevents movement of the armature 35 toward the pole 42. If however for any cause, there is a reversal of phase or a change in the relations of the phases of the circult 48, 49, 5O poles 40 and 41 more strongly attract the armature member 35 than pole 42 and member is attracted toward pole 40 moving in a counter clockwise direction upon 1ts pivots, asviewed in Fig. 1, causing the lug 34 to strike tail piece 26, which, through bar 31, moves both members 25 in a. clockwise direction about their pivots 18 causing them to engage their latch actuators 19, rotating them upon their pivots 18 in aclockwise direction, causing their abutments 22 to move their dog latches 16 in a counter-clockwise direction on their pivots 11 free from their rollers 17, allowing toggles 10, 12 to collapse and the bridging members ,5 to rotate in a clockwise direction away from their main contact terminals 1 and 2, the intermediate shunt contacts 30 and 29 and the shunt contacts 28 and 27 separating in succession in each circuit breaker'pole, with the result that the circuit through each circuit breaker pole is broken, thus rupturing the three phase circuit. As the bridging members 5 move to open circuit position described, contacts 53 and 57 separate from their cooperating con-' tacts 54 and 58, respectively breaking circuit through magnet windings 45, 46 and 47.

In Fig. 7 I have shown similar electromagnetic means for operation in connection with a two phase circuit. In this case conductors 62 and 63 belong to one phase while conductors 64 and 65 belong to the other phase. Conductors 62 and 65, of the diiierent phases, are connected together to one terminal of resistance 61 whose other terminal ,connects with one terminal of winding 46 whose other terminal connects with one terminal of winding 45 whose remaining terminal connects with conductor 63.

Conductors 64 connect with one terminal of winding 47 whose other terminal connects to the terminal of coil 46 which connects with resistance 61.

Normally, when the phase relations are correct, the armature member 35 is more strongly attracted toward .pole 42. Upon the reversal of phase however, the armature member 35 is more strongly attracted toward pole 40 causing it to rotate upon its pivots and trip the breaker as hereinbefore described.

As to both Figs. 6 and 7 it is to be understood that the relative. directions of current flow around the magnet cores or poles may, be other than those illustrated.

What I claim is:

l. The combination with a movable contact member, of means for restraining the same in. normal position, and means for producing force for actuating said restraining means to free said contact member comprising an armature member, a three limb electro-magnet cooperating with said armature member, a windin on each limb, means for supplying to sai windings currents differing in phase from each other, the circuits of said windings having different reactances, two of said limbs normally cooperating to hold said armature in its normal position, and upon a reversal of cur rent in one or more of said windings one of said two limbs and the third limb attracting said armature from its normal position.

2. The combination with a movable contact member, of means for restraining the same in normal position, and means for producing force for actuating said restraining means to free said. contact member comprising a three limb electro-magnet, an

armature cooperating with the poles of said limbs, a winding on each limb, means for supplying to said windings currents diifering in phase from each other, the circuits substantially fixed distance from the of said windings having different reactances, a pivot supporting said armature at p0 e of the middle limb, said middle limb and another limb normally attracting said armature in opposition to the third limb, a reversal of current in one or more of said windings causing said middle and third limbs to produce resultant attraction to move said armature in opposite direction.

3. The combination with a movable contact member, of means for restraining the same in normal position, and means for producing force for actuating said restraining means to free said contact member comprising a three limb electro-magnet, a yoke common to all said,limbs, an armature common to all said limbs, a winding on each of said limbs, and means for supplying to said windings currents dephased with respect to each other, reversal of current in one or more of said windings reversing the normal bias of said armature;

4. The combination with a movable contact member, of means for restraining the same in normal position, and means for producing force for actuating said restraining means to free said contact member com prising a three limb electro-magnet, a yoke and an armature common tosaid limbs, a three phase circuit, and windings on said limbs connected in the different phases of said circuit, the circuits of said windings having different reactances, a. reversal of current in one or more of said windings reversing the normal bias of said armature,

5. The combination with a movable contact member, of means for restraining the same in normal position, and means for producing force for actuating said restraining means tofree said contact member comprising a three limb electro-magnet, a yoke and anarmature common to said limbs, a three phasecircuit, and a winding on one of said limbs and a resistance connected in one phase of said circuit, and windings on the other limbs connected in the other phases of said circuit.

6. The combination with a movable contact member, of means for restraining the same in normal position, and means for producing force for actuating said restraining means to free said contact member comprising a three limb electro-magnet, a yoke and an armature common to said limbs, a polyphase circuit, anda winding on each of said limbs, said windings traversed by currents from different phases of said circuit,

the circuits of said windings having ,diflerprising a three limb electro-magnet, a yoke and an armature common to said limbs, a polyphase circuit, a winding on each of said limbs, said windings traversed by current from different phases ofsaid circuit, and a resistance in circuit with one of said windings.

8. The combination with a movable contact member, of means for restraining the same in normal position, and means for producing force for actuating said restraining means to free said contact member comprising a three limb electro-magnet, a yoke andv an armature common to said limbs, a polyphase circuit, and a winding on each of said limbs, said windings traversed by current from different phases of said circuit, the winding of each of two of said limbs having high inductance and the circuit of the winding on the third limb having higher resistance.

9. The combination with a movable contact member, of means for restraining the same in normal position, and means for producing force for actuating said restraining means to free said contact member comprising a three limb electro-magnet, a yoke and an armature common to said limbs, a polyphase circuit, a winding on each of said limbs, said windings traversed by current from different phases of said circuit, the winding of each of two of said limbs having high inductance and low resistance and a resistance in circuit with the winding onthe third limb.

10. The combination with a movable contact member, of means for restraining the sam e in normal position, and means for producing force for actuating said restraining means to free saidcontact member compris ing a three limb electro-magnet, a yoke and an armature common to said limbs, a polyphase. circit, a winding on each of said limbs, said windings traversed by current from different phases of said circuit, the circuit of the winding on each of two of said limbs having high inductance and the circuit of the winding on a third limb having high resistance, and means, pivotally supporting said armature at substantially fixed distance from said third limb.

11. A polyphase electro-magnet comprising phase windings, the circuits of which possess impedanceof such value that when connected in one sequence to the source, an effective resultant flux will be produced, occupying a given position, and when connected in a different sequence the effective resultant flux will occupy a difierent position.

12. A polyphase electro-magnet comprising phase windings and means for modifying thephase of the flux of one or more of said windings, whereby when said windings are connected in one sequence to the source,

and when connected in a different sequence 7 will flproduce an effective resultant flux in a di erent portion of the core, and an arma' ture, the position of which is determined by the resultant flux in the core.

14. A polyphase electro-magnet comprising aplurality of windings connected in different phase circuits, the circuits of said windings having different 'reactances, a pivoted armature common to all of said windings, said windings with normal relation of the phases of the supply circuit producing unequal attractive forces on opposite sides of the armature pivot, a change in the relation of the phases of the supply circuit causing an interchange of position of said unequal attractive forces with respect to said armatura' 15. A polyphase electro-magnet comprising a plurality of windings connected in different phase circuits, a core common to said windings, the circuits of said windings having different impedances whereby unequal fluxes are maintained in different parts of said core, an interchange in relation between the phases of the supply circuit causing a relative shifting of positions of said unequal fluxes with respect to said core.

16. A polyphase electro-magnet comprising a plurality of windings connected in different phase circuits, a core common to said windings, the circuits of said windings having different impedances whereby unequal fiuxes are maintained in different parts of said core, an interchange in relation between the phases of the supply circuit causing a relative shifting of positions of said unequal fluxes with respect to said core, and a pivoted armature responsive to said shifting flux.

17 A polyphase electro-magnet comprising a three-limbed core, a winding on each limb, said windings connected in different phase circuits having different reactances, and a pivoted armature cooperating with said core.

-18. A polyphase electro-magnet comprising a three-limbed core, a winding on each limb, said windings connected in different phase circuits having different reactances, and a pivoted armature cooperating with said core, the pivotal axis of said armature being disposed between the end limbs and substantially opposite the middle limb of said core.

19. The combination with a source of three-phase current, of an electro-magnet winding for each phase circuit of said source, an armature cooperating with all of said windings, said windings having difierent impedances, whereby, with normal relation of the phases of said source said armature is biasedin one direction, and upon change in relation of the phases of said source said armature is attracted in another direction.

20. The combination with a source of three-phase current, of a three-limbed core, a pivoted armature cooperating with said core, a winding on each of said limbs, said windings being connected in the different phase circuits of said source and having different impedances, whereby said coi'e exerts unequal attractive forces upon opposite sides of the pivotal axis of said armature, and upon change in relation'of the phases of said source interchanges the position of said attractive forces with respect to said armature.

:21. The combination with a source of three-phase current, of a core having three limbs, a winding on each of said limbs, said windings connected in the difibrent phase circuits of said source, a resistance in circuit with the winding on the middle limb, and an armature pivoted substantially opposite said middle limb.

22. The combination with a source of twophase current, of a core having three limbs, a winding on each of said limbs, the phase circuits of said windings having different impedances, and an armature pivoted substantially opposite the middle limb of said core.

23. The combination with a source of twophase current, of a core having three limbs, a winding on each of said limbs, the phase circuits of said windings having different impedances, and an armature pivoted substantially opposite the middle limb of said core, the winding on the middle limb of said core having a resistance connected in circuit therewith. I c

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of the two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM M. SCOTT.

Witnesses:

EDWARD C. SEMBLE, ALBERT KURZ. 

